Vacuum-breaker.



H. E. MORTON.

VACUUM BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22. l9l3. RENEWED JAN. 2!, 1916.

l ,2,32 Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

55 magi??? W X y H. E. MORTON.

VACUUM BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT. 22. I913. RENEWED JAN. 21. 1916.

l ,2Q4,302 Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.-

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HARRY E. MORTON, OFBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

VACUUM-BREAKER.

Application filed October 22, 1913, Serial No. 796,721.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HARRY E. MORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Vacuum-Breakers, of which the fol: lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to vacuum-breakers adapted to open the vacuum-space of a condenser to the atmosphere and thereby destroy the vacuum between a jet-condenser and a steam-engine, in case the condensingwater rises abnormally in the condenser, thereby to check its progress and prevent it from flowing back through the exhaust steam pipe to the engine and wrecking the engine.

In some particulars the invention is intended as an improvement upon the vacuumbreaker of my application #752,288, filed March 6, 1913, and involves the same principle of operation in that the weight of the condensing-water is utilized to cause the operation of the air-inlet valve to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere,'and destroy the vacuum. The vacuum-breaker of my aforesaid application is adapted to be arranged in upright position in a vertical portion of the exhaust steam-pipe or other part of the vacuum-space, whereas the present vacuum-breaker is adapted to be ar'- ranged on the outside of the condenser. In

new installations it is usually possible to provide the exhaust steam-pipe with a vertical portion to receive the vacuum-breaker, although some object to extending the exhaust steam-pipe upward, but in old installations it is sometimes difficult to arrange the vacuum-breaker in the exhaust steam-pipe and occasionally an exhaust steam-pipe has no vertical portion in which the vacuumbreaker can be arranged, hence the desirability of arranging the vacuum-breaker on the condenser.

In the present embodiment of my invention, here shown for illustration, a receptacle is arranged at the outside of the condenser, which is closed to the atmosphere but is in open communication with the interior of the condenser to receive condensingwater which rises therein to .an abnormal level, and which would flow back through the exhaust steam-pip to the engine unless its progress was checked, said receptacle being movable by the weight of the condensing water to control suitable means for oper- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

Renewed January 21, 1916. Serial No. 73,500.

ating an air inlet-valve to open the vacuum space to the atmosphere and thereby destroy the vacuum and thus check the progress of the condensing-water, and prevent it from flowing back through the exhaust steampipe to the engine. Said receptacle may be pivotally supported and arranged for rotatable connection with the shell or case of the condenser, and is arranged so that a downward movement thereof is caused by the weight of the condensing-water which enters it. An air inlet-valve is provided for opening the vacuum-space to the atmosphere, and, as here shown, actuating means is provided for opening said valve, and tripping-mechanism is provided for the valve-actuating-means which is arranged between the actuating-means and the downwardly movable receptacle, and which is constructed and arranged to be operated upon a downward movement of said receptacle to permit operation of the valveactuating-means. All of the component parts of the vacuum-breaker are or may be ranged over a hole in the side wall of the condenser case, and which is bolted to said case, and said supporting-plate has an opening controlled by the air inlet-valve whereby to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere and also has an opening by which communication may be permanently established between the interior of the condenser or vacuum-space thereof and the downwardly movable receptacle, so that the condensingwater may flow through said opening, and enter said receptacle and add its weight thereto to cause it to move downward.

Figure 1 is a front view of a jet-condenser, engine and exhaust steam-pipe, and a vacuum-breaker embodying this invention arranged on the outside of the condenser. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the vacuum-breaker and its supportingarranged on a supporting-plate which is are plate. Fig. 3 is a right hand side-elevation pipe leading from the engine to the jet-condenser, and, so far as my present invention is concerned, said elements are or may be of any well-known or suitable construction. The vacuum-breaker here shown is applied exterior-1y to the side of the condenser, but its application is not limited to this particular part of the vacuum-space. In applying it to a condenser the shell or case of the condenser has an opening at the side, see Fig. 4- above the normal level of the con densing-water which is adapted to be closed by a circular plate 20, arranged exteriorly on the shell and bolted thereto, and said plate, as here shown, serves as a support for the component parts of the vacuum-breaker, whichparts are arranged exteriorly thereon. Said plate, as here shown, has a hollow projection or boss 21, arranged for open communication with the vacuum-space of the condenser, as for instance open communication is established through the opening in the side-wall of the condenser, and also through a pipe 7 5 which is connected at one end with the end of the hollow boss 21, and at the other end with the exhaust steam-pipe 14:, above the top of the condenser. Said boss has an opening at its upper side formed with a valveseat, adapted to receive any usual or suitable valve 22, designed to be opened outwardly and to be operated by means exteriorly disposed with respect to the condenser thereby to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere and destroy the vacuum. Said valve 22 has a stem 23, which is supported in upright position and guided by a bracket on the supporting-plate, and said stem has a hole 24 through it, transversely, to receive one end of an actuating-lever 25, pivoted at 26, the other end of said lever bearing a heavy weight 27, which is designed, when permitted to fall by gravity to move said lever on its pivot to positively lift the valve from its seat and thereby open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere. Said actuating-lever is held in position with its weighted end-portion elevated in'readiness to fall, when permitted, by suitable tripping-mechanism which is controlled by an operating-device, which latter is adapted to be operated by the weight of the condensing-water rising in the condenser; when trouble occurs.

The operating-device which forms the essential novel element of the vacuum-breaker plate 20, and has a trunnion opposite said end-portion arranged in a bearing in a bracket 36, on the supporting-plate; and said conical end-portion is held in firm engagement with its seat by a spring 35 arranged on the trunnion between the neck and the bracket which spring actsexpansively. When thus disposed the receptacle is pivotally supported on the outside of the supporting-plate and at the outside of the condenser, and is adapted to be rotated about a horizontal axis, the conical end-portion moving rotarily on the seat, and remaining in permanent engagement therewith. The receptacle normally occupies substantially a horizontal position, as represented in Fig. 2, being held in such position'by means here: inafter described, and is in open communication with the vacuum-space of the con denser, and in case the condensing-water rises, as it will do when trouble occurs, said condensing-Water will pass through the opening 34 in the supporting-plate and through the hollow neck and into the receptacle, and add its weight to the receptacle, tending to cause said receptacle to swing downward on its pivoted support. Thus it will be observed that downward movement of the receptacle is controlled by the weight of the condensing-water which rises in the condenser and enters the receptacle. Said downward movement of the receptacle is utilized to operate trippingmechanism fo'r the air inlet-valve, thereby to permit said valve to open, to in turn open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere and destroy the vacuum.

The receptacle is normally held in elevated position by a counter-weight 4L0, arranged on an arm 41, pivoted'at 42, to a bracket 43 attached to the top of the receptacle, andsaid arm 41 normally rests on a fixed pin 4%, extended laterally from an ear 45, on the supporting-plate 20, and said counter-weight is made solid and on account of the leverage exerts a gravitating force sui'licient to accomplish this result, but when said receptacle is filled or partially filled with condensing-water it overloalances the counter-weight 40, and said counter-weight is lifted as the receptacle falls, and the arm 41 of the counter-weight slides along on the fixed pin 44, and, as here shown, passes by the pin.

In view of the fact that the weight of the receptacle is disposed atone side of its pivotal-support it is liable to swerve so that its conical end-portion will not remain correctly seated at all times, and by attaching a small counter-weight 70 to the receptacle, near its pivotal-support, this diificulty is overcome.

The trippingmechanism for the air inletvalve is arranged in cooperative relation with the receptacle -30, and, as here shown, said tripping-mechanism comprises a bellcrank lever, pivoted at 50 to an ear 51 on the supporting-plate 20, one arm of which, as 52, engages a pin 53, extended laterally from the lever 25, and the other arm of which, as 5-i-l-, is extended downward and bears a pin 55, which is extended laterally from. its lower end-portion and enters a notch 56 formed in the top of bracket d3, which is attached to the top of the receptacle 30. Normally, the pin occupies a position in the notch 56, so that the bell-crank lever is held in fixed position, and when so held the arm 52 of said bell-crank lever holds the actuating-lever 25 of the air inlet-valve in elevated position. Upon a downward movement of the receptacle 30 the pin 55 is dis engaged and the bell-crank lever is released, and being free to move on its pivot 50, will be so moved by the weight of the actuatinglever 25, thus permitting said actuatinglever to move on its pivot 26 and positively open the air inlet-valve.

To limit downward movement of the receptacle, a slotted link may be employed, which is loosely connected at its lower end to the bracket 43 on the receptacle, and its slotted portion engages the pin 53 on the actuating-lever 25, so that downward movement of both the receptacle and actuatinglever is limited. The actuating-lever falls until it strikes a. yielding stop on a projection 66, extended laterally from the ear l5 on the supporting-plate, or in lieu thereof any other form of stop may be provided for limiting the downward movement of said actuating-lever. After the vacuum-breaker operates the parts thereof will be restored by'hand at the convenience of the engineer, the cooperative parts of the tripping-mechanism being reset and the receptacle and valve actuating-lever restored to normal elevated position, and the condensing-water contained in the receptacle is caused to flow back to the condenser, and being of small volume the receptacle is quickly emptied.

I claim 1. The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air inletvalve arranged to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere thereby to destroy the vacuum, a movable receptacle arranged at the outside of the condenser which is closed to the atmosphere and is in open communication with the vacuum-space, to receive con- (lensing-water which rises in the condenser, and by its weight causes the receptacle to move downward, and means controlled by said receptacle, upon a downward movement thereof, to operate said air inlet-valve to open the vacuum-space, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air inletvalve arranged to open the vacuum-space to theatmosphere thereby to destroy the vacuum, a hollow, pivotally supported receptacle arranged at the outside of the condenser which is closed to the atmosphere and is in open communication with the vacuum-space, to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser, the weight of which moves said receptacle downward, and means controlled by said receptacle upon a downward movement thereof to operate said air inletvalve to open the vacuum-space, substantially as described.

The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air inletvalve arranged to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere and thereby destroy the vacuum, a weighted actuating-lever for said valve, tripping-mechanism controlling the movement of said actuating-lever, and a receptacle with which said tripping-mechanism is associated, which is arranged at the outside of the condenser and is closed to the atmosphere and is in open communication with the vacuum-space, to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser and by its weight causes the receptacle to move downward to control the operation of said tripping-mechanism, substantially as described.

l. The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air inletvalve arranged to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere thereby to destroy the vacuum, a hollow receptacle rotatably connected with the condenser opposite the vacuum space thereof which is in open communication with the interior of the condenser and is closed to the atmosphere and is adapted to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser, means to hold said receptacle in elevated position, arranged for operation by the weight of the condensing-water which enters the receptacle, permitting said receptacle to swing downward, and means controlled by and upon a downward swinging motion of the receptacle to operate the air inlet-valve to open the vacuum-space, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air inletvalve arranged to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere thereby to destroy the vacuum, actuatingmeans for said valve, tripping-mechanism for said actuating-means, a hollow receptacle rotatably connected with the condenser opposite the vacuum-space thereof, which is in open communication with the interior of the condenser and is closed to the atmosphere and is adapted to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser, means to hold said receptacle in elevated position arranged for operation by the weight of the condensing-water which enters the receptacle, permitting said receptacle to swing downward, and means controlled by and upon a downward swinging movement of the receptacle to disengage the tripping-mechanism and permit operation of the actuating-means for the air inletwalve, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a jet-condenser having an opening in its side, a plate closing said opening, an air inlet-valve arranged on said plate to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere thereby to destroy the vacuum, a movable receptacle arranged on said plate which is closed to the atmosphere and is in open communication with the vacuum-space, to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser and by its weight causes the receptacle to move downward, and means controlled by said receptacle upon downward movement thereof to operate saidv air inlet-valve to open the vacuum-space, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a jet-condenser having an opening in its side, a closure for said opening, an air inlet-valve arranged on said closure to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere thereby to destroy the vacuum,

said closure having a hole through it arranged to form a seat, a receptacle pivotally supported on said closure which is closed to the atmosphere and has a hollow neck with an end-portion arranged to engage said seat,

whereby said receptacle is in open communication wlth the vacuum-space, to recelve condensing-water which rises 1n the condenser and by its weight causes the receptacle to swing downward, and means controlledby said receptacle upon a downward swinging movement thereof to operate said air inletvalve to open the vacuum-space, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a jet-condenser having an opening in its side, a closure for said opening, an air inlet-valve arranged on said closure to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere thereby to destroy the vacuum, said closure having a hole through it arranged to form a seat, a receptacle pivotally supported on said closure which is closed to the atmosphere and has a hollow neck with an end-portion arranged to engage said seat, whereby said receptacle is 1n open communication with the vacuum-space, toreceive condensing-water which rises in the condenser and by its weight causes the receptacle to swing downward, means to hold said neck in permanent engagement with the seat, but permitting rotary movement thereof, and means controlled by said receptacle upon a downward swinging movement thereof to operate said air inlet-valve to open the vacuum-space, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a jet-condenser having an opening in its side, a closure for said opening, an air inlet-valve arranged on said closure to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere thereby to destroy the vweight of the condensing-water which enters the receptacle, and means controlled by said receptacle upon a downward swinging movement thereof to operate said air inletvalve to open the vacuum-space, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a jet-condenser having two openings opposite the vacuumspace thereof, an air inlet-valve normally closing one of said openings arranged when open to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere and thereby destroy the vacuum, a hollow receptacle arranged in front of the other opening and having a rotatable connection with the condenser at such point, whereby it is in open communication with the interior of the condenser but is closed to the atmosphere and is adapted to swing about a. horizontal axis, means to hold said upon downward movement thereof to o-per ate said air inlet-valve to open the vacuumspace, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air inletvalve arranged to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere and thereby destroy the vacuum, a hollow receptacle closed to the atmosphere and having a neck with an endportion rotarily engaging a seat so disposed that said receptacle is in open communication with the vacuum-space and is adapted to receive condensing-waterwhich rises in the condenser and by its weight causes the receptacle to move downward, said receptacle, upon a downward movement thereof, controlling the operationof the air inletvalve, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a jet-condenser,

position which is adapted to be overcome by the weight of the condensing-water which enters the receptacle, and means controlled by said receptacle, when in elevated position, to hold the air-inlet valve in closed position, which permits the valve to open when the receptacle moves downward, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air-inlet valve arranged to open the vacuum space to the atmosphere and thereby destroy the vacuum, a movable receptacle ar-. ranged at the outside of the condenser which is closed to the atmosphere, and is in open communication with the vacuum-space which receives condensing-water which rises in the condenser, counter-balancing means for holding said receptacle in elevated position adapted to be overcome by the weight of the condensing-water which enters the receptacle, means engaged by said receptacle when in elevated position for holding the air-inlet valve in closed position which is adapted to be disengaged when the receptacle moves downward, permitting operating of the air-inlet valve to open the vacuum-space, and means to limit downward movement of the receptacle, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a jet-condenser,

of a vacuum-breaker having an air-in-- let valve arranged to open the vacuum space to the atmosphere and thereby destroy the vacuum, a weighted actuatinglever for said valve, tripping-mechanism controlling the movement of said lever, and a receptacle arranged for engagement with said tripping-mechanism, which is arranged at the outside of the condenser and is closed to the atmosphere and is in open communication with the vacuum-space to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser, and by its weight causes the receptacle to move downward to disengage the tripping-mechanism and permit operation of the air-inlet valve, said receptacle being subsequently restored to engaging position by hand, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air-inlet valve arranged to open the vacuumspace to the atmosphere and thereby destroy the vacuum, a weighted actuatinglever for said valve, tripping-mechanism controlling the movement of said lever, and a receptacle arranged for engagement with said tripping-mechanism which is arranged at the outside of the condenser and is closed to the atmosphere, and is in open communication with the vacuum-space to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser, and by its weight causes the receptacle to move downward to disengage the tripping-mechanism and permit operation of the air-inlet valve, means to limit downward movement of the valve actuating lever, and means to limit downward movement of the receptacle, said actuating-lever and receptacle being subsequently restored to engaging position with the trippingmechanism by hand, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a jet condenser having an opening in its side wall above the normal level of the condensing-water therein, of a vacuum-breaker connected with said condenser at said opening comprising a hollow supporting-member, a pipe connecting said member with the exhaust steam-pipe above the condenser, an air-inlet valve arranged on said member to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere, a receptacle pivotally supported on said member which is closed to the atmosphere and is in open communication with the vacuumspace to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser, and by its weight causes the receptacle to move downward, and means controlled by said receptacle upon a downward movement thereof to operate said air-inlet valve to open the vacuum-space, substantially as described.

17. The combination with a jet-condenser, of a vacuum-breaker having an air-inlet valve arranged to open the vacuum-space to the atmosphere, and thereby destroy the vacuum, a weighted actuating-lever for said valve, tripping-mechanism controlling the movement of said actuating-lever, and a receptacle arranged at the outside of the condenser, which is closed to the atmosphere and is in open communication with the vacuum-space to receive condensing-water which rises in the condenser and by its weight causes the receptacle to move downwardly, said receptacle having engagingmeans adapted for engagement with the tripping-mechanism, thereby to hold said tripping-mechanism in position to hold the actuating-lever with the airinlet valve closed, and when the receptacle is swung downward by the weight of the condensingwater, to disengage said tripping-mechanism and permit movement of said actuating-lever to open the air-inlet valve, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY E. MORTON.

Witnesses:

B. J. NoYEs, H. B. DAVIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

